New monitor can help manage Type 1 diabetes
PATIENTS with Type 1 diabetes could soon manage their condition more effectively after it was announced that a “pioneering” device is set to be made available on the NHS.
Flash glucose monitoring involves a small sensor being placed under the skin which people can scan at any time to read their blood sugar levels.
It is said to greatly reduce the need for finger prick tests which involve diabetes patients drawing blood up to 10 times a day.
Previously, people living with Type 1 diabetes had to pay for flash monitoring themselves, with a starter pack costing around £170. The readers for the sensors can also cost as much as £60.
But Diabetes UK has announced that the devices will now be funded by the NHS across the UK.
Dai Williams, national director of Diabetes UK Cymru, described the announcement as “fantastic news”.
He said: “Not since the transition from urine testing to finger-prick testing has there been such potential to transform the lives of people living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes through technology.
“Flash glucose monitoring can free people living with diabetes from the pain and rigour of frequent finger prick testing, and puts them in greater control of their condition.
“In doing so, it has the potential to help prevent a host of devastating long-term complications.”
While Mr Williams believes the new form of monitoring will allow diabetes patients to manage their condition more effectively, there were also concerns about it.
Some patients claim wearing the sensor will be “irritating or unsightly”, while others claim the quick access to data will unnecessarily worry people.
Mr Williams added: “Today’s decision is testament to the commitment of campaigners, clinicians and policy makers to making this technology available.
“The challenge now will be that everyone who could benefit from this technology is able to access it where they live.
“Diabetes UK will be looking to local decision-makers to ensure people living with diabetes get proper access to this potentially life-changing technology.”
The Welsh Government said the device, also known as Freestyle Libre, will not be clinically necessary for the majority of people with the condition.
Users of flash glucose monitoring devices must still perform capillary blood glucose monitoring as recommended by their healthcare professional.
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “The NHS in Wales is committed to delivering standards of diabetes care in line with national guidelines and the Diabetes Delivery Plan for Wales.
“We welcome the introduction of new medical technologies and will work with the NHS in Wales to consider how best to target new technology at those with the greatest clinical need.”
Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition which requires daily treatment, and unlike Type 2 diabetes is not caused by an unhealthy lifestyle.
Around 345,000 people in the UK and 20,000 in Wales are living with Type 1 diabetes.
It is most commonly diagnosed in children aged nine to 14 years old, but can be diagnosed as a young child or as an adult.
An estimated 1,400 children and young people in Wales currently have Type 1 diabetes and symptoms can develop very quickly.
One in five children are not diagnosed until they are in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention.